Crafts : Quilting : Twisted Log Cabin Quilt : Home & Garden Television

Many viewers inquire about the Windmill quilt seen in the opening of the Simply Quilts show. It's actually made up of a variation of a Log Cabin block design--made in triangular shape instead of the traditional square. Quilt maker Bonnie Browning, inspired by a quilt seen in Barbara Kaempfer's book Log Cabin With a Twist, made the blocks for the quilt using a paper piecing technique. Here's how.

Figure A

Figure B

Materials:

- vellum paper
- permanent marking pen
- ruler and/or compass
- hand-dyed, solid or small-scale tone-on-tone fabrics - six values (figure A) of seven different colors (42 fat quarters)

Steps:

Draft a pattern on vellum paper. To do this, use the ruler and/or compass to make an equilateral triangle measuring eight inches on all sides (figure B).

Figure C

To make the next layer of triangles, mark a dot on the right-hand line of the triangle that is 3/4 of an inch down from the top point of the triangle. Mark a dot on the base line of the triangle that's 3/4 of an inch away from the right-hand line of the triangle. Mark a dot on the left-hand line of the triangle that's 3/4 of an inch away from the base line of the triangle (figure C). Connect these dots, forming a second, smaller and slightly askew triangle on top of the first one.

Figure D

Repeat step 2 on the second triangle, marking dots 3/4 of an inch down on each line as described above, then connect the dots to form a third, smaller and slightly askew triangle on top of the second one. Repeat in this manner until the pattern is finished (figure D).

Figure E

Figure F

Number the triangles as shown(figure E). There are 19 pieces in each raw block. Copy the pattern onto vellum paper--you'll need six raw blocks to a unit.

In preparation of fabric cutting and block assembly, make, color and label a quilt map illustrating how to sew the blocks together (figure F).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

Cut fat quarters into 1-3/8 inch wide strips (figure G). This width includes 1/2 inch for seam allowances, plus 1/8-inch room for error. Cut three strips for each pinwheel you're going to make--so if you're planning to repeat a pinwheel color, cut six strips.

To make a block, pin a 2-1/4 inch length of a fabric strip on the center back of the pattern (figure H). Flip the pattern over to see the fabric from the front side (figure I).

Figure J

On the back side of the pattern, finger press the pinned center fabric on a line of the center triangle (figure J). Unfold.

Figure K

Cut a second length of fabric strip approximately the same size as the first. Position this piece so it overlaps the folded line of the first piece by a 1/4 inch. Flip it over and stitch along on the line through both layers of fabric (figure K).

Figure L

Figure M

Repeat stitching additional fabric onto the foundation (figure L), trimming away stray threads and seam allowances as you go.

Stitch raw blocks (figure M) together according to the road map. The easiest way to stitch them together is by sewing in a row.

Figure N

To finish the odd edges, cut a triangle foundation in half and place it as shown (figure N).

Put on a border, then quilt and finish as desired.

Resources
Log Cabin With a Twist
By Barbara Barbara Kaempfer
Order this title.
Schroeder Publishing / Collector Books
Website: www.collectorbooks.com

Borders & Finishing Touches 2
by Bonnie Kay Browning
The complete pattern for the Windmill quilt is now available in Borders & Finishing Touches #2
American Quilter's Society, 2006
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests
Bonnie Browning
Quilter, quilting competition judge and author
Website: bonniebrowning.tripod.com
Also in this Episode

Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-802
•	Twisted Log Cabin Quilt
•	Avoiding V-Shaped Strips

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Twisted Log Cabin Quilt

Twisted Log Cabin Quilt

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Twisted Log Cabin Quilt

Twisted Log Cabin Quilt

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